Madrid, Brescia Rank Worst in Europe for Air Pollution Mortality

Spain’s capital Madrid has the most premature deaths linked to nitrogen-dioxide pollution in Europe, while the Italian city of Brescia ranks worst in fatalities related to fine particulate matter, according to a new study.

Some 84% of European citizens are exposed to pollution levels above World Health Organization guidelines according to the report, the first to assess premature mortality due to air pollution at city level in Europe. Compliance with WHO guidelines could prevent around 52,000 deaths every year, according to the study, published Tuesday in The Lancet Planetary Health journal.

So-called mortality burden due to nitrogen dioxide pollution, ...